Wallkill man pleads guilty in Middletown bar death

GOSHEN — A Town of Wallkill man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree manslaughter in the death of Allan Cardona who was assaulted outside a Middletown bar in the fall.

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By HEATHER YAKIN

recordonline.com

By HEATHER YAKIN

Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 2:00 AM

By HEATHER YAKIN

Posted Sep. 18, 2013 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

GOSHEN — A Town of Wallkill man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to second-degree manslaughter in the death of Allan Cardona who was assaulted outside a Middletown bar in the fall.

Before the proceeding began in Orange County Court, Kevin Conklin's lawyer, Gary Greenwald, approached Cardona's brothers, son and ex-wife and told them Conklin was sorry for their loss.

Cardona, 46, of Middletown, was a family man who coached his son in baseball and soccer. He and Conklin, 24, did not know each other before the encounter Nov. 10 outside G's Westgate Inn that left Cardona dead.

Conklin was under indictment on a charge of first-degree manslaughter, and faced a minimum of five years and a maximum of 25 if convicted. Under the plea deal reached Tuesday, Senior Assistant District Attorney Maryellen Albanese will recommend the maximum sentence on the lower charge of five to 15 years in prison. Judge Jeffrey Berry said he would cap Conklin's sentence at four to 15 years, and Greenwald can argue for less time.

Conklin admitted in court that he punched Cardona, 46, in the face, and that he kneed him in the head as the older man fell forward. Under questioning from the judge, he admitted that it's possible he kicked Cardona in the head.

A medical examiner ruled that Cardona had died of a heart attack brought on by head trauma because of the assault.

After court, Greenwald said his client "was always very upset that he caused the death of Mr. Cardona." Greenwald maintains that Cardona threw the first punch.

Cardona's brothers, Jorge and Julian Cardona, said the plea deal serves the ends of justice, but there are no winners or losers in the case.

"We'll never be able to fill the hole that this has created," said one of Cardona's sons, Brandon Cardona.

Ex-wife Jeanette Collazo said the family is satisfied with the plea, and she has some sympathy for Conklin's family. Still, after prison, she said, "they get to have him. But we never get to have Allan again."